MIND Body Spirit, the festival that aims to help us improve our physical, spiritual and mental well-being, is coming to Manchester for the ninth time in October.

And the two-day festival, being held at G-Mex on October 2 and 3, will hope to repeat the success of the London leg in May, which attracted the biggest attendances since the festival began there in 1977.

The northern festival will be opened by a troupe of Tibetan Buddhist Lamas from India performing chant, music and prayer as part of their world peace tour.

And there will be demonstrations every half an hour throughout the weekend from experts in offbeat pursuits like éyogaboxingé and éinfinite tai chié as well as live music from flautist and ésound healeré Tim Wheater and wild, witchy dance music group, The Daughters Of Gaia.

Those brave enough can try everything from past life therapy to reiki (energy healing) or you can simply browse over a hundred stalls selling weird and wonderful gifts like organic cosmetics and Himalayan salt lamps.

If you donét know your aura from your ayurveda, the Mind Body Spirit festival is the place to find out more.

Mind Body Spirit takes place at G-Mex on Saturday, October 2 and Sunday, October 3 from 10.30am to 6pm. Admission is é7 (é5 concessions) - to book tickets, call 020 7371 9191.